Joe Manganiello Says The Batman Will Be a Different Kind of Batman Movie

Even viewers who haven't enjoyed the movies of the DC Extended Universe thus far are eager to see what Ben Affleck has planned for The Batman, his upcoming reboot of the Batman franchise, set within the DCEU. Affleck has made some quality crime thrillers (The Town, Argo), with another big one on the way (Live By Night), so most DC fans see him as the natural selection of director to make the sort of Batman film that fans haven't seen yet, but always wanted to.

Directors like Tim Burton and Chris Nolan have made quality Batman films, sure; but in the minds of most fans, there could have been more done to improve both the action sequences and detective story elements of those films. Well, one of the DCEU's recent new additions, True Blood star Joe Manganiello, will be joining The Batman after making his debut as Deathstroke the Terminator in Justice League. Manganiello recently did a podcast with Pittsburgh's Mark Madden (via Reddit), in which he talked about The Batman, and why should be excited by it.

In describing the film Affleck is making, Manganiello said, "His take is a fresh take but I think the audience is going to be surprised. Because it's a road that no one's really gone down that's completely integral to, you know, who Batman is. And I think it's gonna be refreshing but at the same time completely familiar. But it's going to take this franchise in a direction that I think A LOT of people are going to be really happy about."

That's a big claim, given the mass exposure that Batman has gotten in modern culture. Still, hearing that fans are going pleased with the results of Affleck's Batman movie is a bit of a vague promise. Manganiello followed up his initial description with more specific descriptions, adding that, "It's going to be gritty and action packed and cerebral and all of those elements that people love about Batman...everything is lined up for a really really really great movie. Not only a superhero movie but just a great great movie."

"Gritty" is a word that lost popularity with Nolan's Batman films, but fans are probably going to be happy to hear words like "action-packed" and "cerebral" being tossed around. As stated, even the best Batman films of Burton and Nolan could've been better with the action and detective story elements of Batman's character - and it sounds like Affleck is aiming to do just that.

...So how does Manganiello's claims stack up against recent rumors that The Batman script has massive problems? Well, the negative whispers are just that: whispers and rumors. Manganiello may be obligated to help promote his film, but he's also been a pretty straight shooter up 'til now. No reason to doubt the man at his word.

What do you think? Is Ben Affleck's Batman movie something you're looking forward to? Let us know in the comments or @ComicBookNow or @KofiOutlaw.

NEXT: Everything We know about The Batman / Script Problems? / 5 Things We Want to See in The Batman / Deathstroke and Female Robin Concept Art

Suicide Squad is now playing in theaters. Wonder Woman opens in theaters on June 2, 2017, followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash, The Batman, Dark Universe and Man of Steel 2 are currently without release dates.